Energy & Environment
Jim Costa has been a strong advocate for sustainable energy, environmental protection, and addressing climate challenges, especially as they impact the San Joaquin Valley. As a member of the Natural Resources Committee, Costa fought to rein in excessive speculation in our energy markets and boost domestic energy production. He believes we must also invest in energy efficiency and cheaper, clean energy and other renewable energy sources that will diversify and sustain our domestic energy sector.
Recognizing the devastating toll of wildfires, Costa has fought for increased funding for forest management and wildfire prevention. He co-introduced the Save Our Sequoias Act to protect the iconic Giant Sequoias, securing investments to safeguard these natural treasures from wildfire damage at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. To further enhance wildfire readiness, he introduced the Emergency Wildfire Fighting Technology Act, which invests in advanced tools like real-time satellite detection, drones, and improved communication systems to quickly identify and respond to fires.
As a strong supporter of the Inflation Reduction Act, the most significant climate legislation in U.S. history, Costa brought critical clean energy investments to the Valley, including over $15 million to install solar panels over the Delta-Mendota Canal—a groundbreaking project that improves energy efficiency while conserving water for Valley farmers and communities. He has been a steadfast advocate for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), ensuring thousands of Valley families can afford to keep their homes cool during triple-digit summers and warm during winter, especially vulnerable seniors and low-income households who face life-threatening conditions without assistance.
Through his efforts on energy, air quality, wildfire prevention, and direct support for vulnerable families, Costa continues to lead on comprehensive solutions that protect the environment while supporting the health and well-being of San Joaquin Valley residents.
Air Quality
Representing one of the regions with the worst air quality in the nation, Costa has worked to secure funding to reduce emissions from agriculture, transportation, and industry. As a former state legislator, he helped establish the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District, a vital step in improving one of the nation’s worst air quality regions. He supported programs to replace diesel engines with cleaner alternatives and has pushed for federal investments to improve air quality monitoring and enforcement in the Valley.
More on Energy & Environment
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack visited California this week, meeting with growers, industry groups, and state officials to learn about the challenges facing agriculture. During his stop at Terranova Ranch in Fresno County, Secretary Vilsack heard from local producers about the impacts of drought. Secretary Vilsack noted that the U.S.
FRESNO - In his continued efforts to mitigate the impact of drought on agriculture communities of the San Joaquin Valley, Congressman Jim Costa (CA-16), Chairman of the Livestock and Foreign Agriculture Subcommittee, hosted United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack on a tour of the valley where they met and spoke with ag leaders about the impact of d
"We have got to be able to have the Secretary of Agriculture to have some funds available there," Scott said, noting WHIP-Plus is still paying for disasters going back to 2019. "Our appropriations process sometimes takes two years. Many of our farmers haven't gotten the aid yet."
For the first time in more than a decade, Merced College will have a new building.
Construction of the new 29,000-square-foot Raj Kahlon Agriculture and Industrial Technology Complex kicked off Wednesday morning with a formal groundbreaking ceremony.
The complex will serve as the main building for agricultural-related instruction at the college.
(WASHINGTON) – Congressman Jim Costa (CA-16) and Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-21) released the following statement after introducing the Biodiesel, Renewable Diesel and Alternative Fuels Extension Act of 2021:
The year 2020 will be etched in history not only for the pandemic that swept the nation, but also for the devastating wildfire season California experiencedthat left hardly any region of the state untouched and set a record for the
(WASHINGTON) – Congressman Jim Costa (CA-16) released the following statement after the House passed the Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act to make important investments in clean energy technologies that support a transition to a more sustai
(WASHINGTON) – Congressman Jim Costa (CA-16) released the following statement after the House passed H.R.
(WASHINGTON) – Congressman Jim Costa (CA-16) released the following statement after the House passed the minibus appropriations bill to fund programs within Agriculture & Rural Development, Interior &Environment, State & Foreign Operations, and Military Construction & Veterans Affairs:
(WASHINGTON) – Congressman Jim Costa (CA-16) released the following statement after passage of H.R.